초록

The present invention relates to a system comprising at least one serving dish configured to support food and a power source which comprises at least one portable electrical power generating device. The power source provides power to heat the food.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system comprising:a counter comprising stone; at least one heating element in thermal communication with the counter; and a power source which comprises a portable electrical power generating device, the power source being used to provide power to the heating element. 2. The system of claim 1,

1. A system comprising:a counter comprising stone; at least one heating element in thermal communication with the counter; and a power source which comprises a portable electrical power generating device, the power source being used to provide power to the heating element. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises at east one of a battery or a fuel cell.3. The system of claim 1, comprising a serving cart which includes the counter and the power source.4. The system of claim 1, wherein the counter comprises quartz.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating element is positioned on a bottom side of the counter.6. The system of claim wherein the power source provides direct current power to the heating element.7. A serving cart comprising:a surface which comprises stone; at least one heating element which heats the surface; and a power source which comprises at least one of a battery or a fuel cell, the power source being used to provide power to the heating element. 8. The serving cart of claim 7, wherein the surface comprises quartz.9. The serving cart of claim 7, wherein the combination of the power source and the heating element is configured to maintain the surface at a temperature of at least 140° F. for at least-4 hours.10. A method of serving food comprising:positioning a plurality of serving dishes adjacent to one another on a counter which comprises engineered stone, the serving dishes comprising various types of food; and heating food in the plurality of serving dishes using at least one of a battery or a fuel cell, the battery being used to heat the engineered stone and thus heat the food. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the positioning step comprises positioning the plurality of serving dishes on a serving cart.12. A system comprising:a counter which comprises quartz and at least approximately 2 wt. % organic resin; at least one heating element in thermal communication with the counter; and a power source which provides power to the heating element. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the counter comprises at least approximately 80 wt. % quartz.14. The system of claim 13, wherein the counter is included with a serving cart.15. The system of claim 12, wherein the heating element is enclosed by counter.16. A system comprising:a surface which comprises engineered stone; at least one heating element which is used to heat the surface; and a power source which provides power to the heating element. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the heating element is enclosed by surface.18. The system of claim 16 wherein the heating element is positioned on a bottom side of the surface.19. The system of claim 16, wherein the power source is a portable power source.20. The system of claim 19, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a battery, fuel cell, or a photovoltaic cell.21. The system of claim 16, wherein the surface is part of a serving cart.22. A serving cart comprising:a surface which comprises quartz; at least one heating element which is used to heat the surface; and a power source which includes a portable electrical power generating device, the power source being used to provide power to the heating element. 23. The serving cart of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises at least approximately 80 wt. % quartz.24. The serving cart of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises at least approximately 2 wt. % organic resin.25. The serving cart of claim 22, wherein the power source is capable of maintaining the surface at a temperature of at least 140° F. for at least 4 hours.26. The serving cart of claim 22, wherein the heating element is positioned on a bottom side of the surface.27. The serving cart of claim 22, wherein the surface comprises engineered stone.28. The serving cart of claim 22, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a battery, fuel cell, or a photovoltaic cell.29. The serving cart of claim 22, wherein the surface is part of a serving cart.30. A serving cart comprising:a surface which comprises engineered stone; at least one heating element which is used to heat the surface; and a power source which includes a portable electrical power generating device, the power source being used to provide power to the heating element. 31. The serving cart of claim 30, wherein the surface comprises between approximately 90-93 wt. % quartz.32. The serving cart of claim 30, wherein the surface comprises between approximately 7-10 wt. % organic resin.33. The serving cart of claim 30, wherein the power source is capable of maintaining the surface at a temperature of at least 140° F. for at least 4 hours.34. The serving cart of claim 30, wherein the heating element is positioned on a bottom side of the surface.35. The serving cart of claim 30, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a battery, fuel cell, or a photovoltaic cell.36. A serving cart comprising:a surface which comprises stone; at least one heating element which is used to heat the surface; and a power source which provides power to the heating element. 37. The serving cart of claim 36, wherein the surface comprises quartz.38. The serving cart of claim 36, wherein the stone is engineered stone.39. The serving cart of claim 36, wherein the stone comprises at least approximately 2 wt. % organic resin.40. The serving cart of claim 36, wherein the power source is a portable power source.41. The serving cart of claim 40, wherein the power source is capable of maintaining the surface at a temperature of at least 140° F. for at least 4 hours.42. The serving cart of claim 40, wherein the power source comprises at least one of a battery, fuel cell, or a photovoltaic cell.43. The serving cart of claim 40, wherein the stone is engineered stone.